PATHOGENESIS

Biofilm bacterial infections may account for many cases of antibiotic-refractory chronic
sinusitis. Biofilms are complex aggregates of extracellular matrix and interdependent
microorganisms from multiple species, many of which may be difficult or impossible to isolate
using standard clinical laboratory techniques. Bacteria found in biofilms have their antibiotic
resistance increased up to 1000 times when compared to free-living bacteria of the same
species. A recent study found that biofilms were present on the mucosa of 75% of people
undergoing surgery for chronic sinusitis

You can’t spread bacterial sinusitis, but you can spread viruses that lead to sinusitis.

CLINICAL FEATURES
Common signs and symptoms of sinusitis include:

Post nasal drip (mucus drips down the throat).

Nasal discharge (thick yellow or green discharge from nose) or stuffy nose
Facial pressure (particularly around the nose, eyes, and forehead), headache and or pain in
your teeth or ears.
Halitosis (bad breath)
Cough.
Tiredness.
Fever.

TREATMENT
How is sinusitis treated?
Sinusitis is treated in several ways, each depending on severity of the sinusitis .
Simple or Acute sinusitis which last for four weeks is
initially treatmented with
Decongestants.
Over-the-counter cold and allergy medications.
Nasal saline irrigation.
Drinking fluids (sinusitis is a viral infection and fluids will help).
And watchful waiting is cardinal. If symptoms do not
improve in 7–10 days or get worse, then an antibiotic can be used for seven days in adults
and 10 days in children or may be or changed.
subacute sinusitis which last for 4 to 12 four weeks
Intranasal steroid sprays.
Topical antihistamine sprays or oral pills.
Leukotriene antagonists to reduce swelling and allergy symptoms.
Rinsing the nose with saline solutions that might also contain other types of medication.
When sinusitis isn't controlled by one of the above treatments,If it lasts more than 12 weeks
it's chronic sinusitis a CT scan is used to take a better look at your sinuses. Depending on
the results, surgery may be needed to correct structural problems in your sinuses. This is
most likely to happen if you have polyps and/or a fungal infection.
PREVENTION
You should avoid things you are allergic to, like dust, pollen , smoke or smoking and try to
avoid sick people. Wash your hands to reduce your chance of getting a cold or flu.
By drinking extra fluids helps to thin nasal secretions.
Remember to follow good hygienic habits practices, to avoid people if you are sick and to
sneeze or cough into your elbow if you have to sneeze or cough.

References

www.hopkinsmedicine.org. (n.d.). Sinusitis. [online] Available at:

https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/sinusitis?amp=true
[Accessed 26 Aug. 2022].

‌ DC (2021). Suffering from a sinus infection? [online] Centers for Disease Control and
C
Prevention. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/antibiotic-use/sinus-infection.html.

https://www.facebook.com/WebMD (2016). What Is Sinusitis? [online] WebMD. Available at:

Https://www.webmd.com/allergies/sinusitis-and-sinus-infection.

Cleveland Clinic. (n.d.). Sinus Infection (Sinusitis): Types, Causes, Symptoms & Treatment.
[online] Available at:
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17701-sinusitis#:~:text=Sinusitis%20can%20b
e%20caused%20by.